Ideas for the 2010 Hallowe'en Writing Contest [Starting Sept. 1], page 1

I will be starting the next writing contest ~2 weeks from today. Of course it's going to concern general horror and mayhem ala the usual vampyres, witches, Freddie Krugers et al, but what I'm asking of the membership are the following:

1) Should there be a particular theme or will we go just 'generally scary'?

2) What should the minimum word count be? The last contest was 500 words and we had a brilliant group of submissions.

3) Should there be a maximum word count? This is mainly for being kind to the judges.

(note: there is a handy word count program available for self-checking)

For myself (to throw in my $0.02), I'd prefer a higher word count for a contest running 2 full months... say, 1000 words. I'd also not worry about a maximum word count because sometimes I never want a good thriller to end, but tjhat's just me.

Also, I'm happy to report that a dedicated group of judges has been established for all future contests. No more worries in that regard.

Anyways, let me know what you think. The idea for a particular theme that is most acceptable via the responses in this exploratory thread will be what I run with when the contest starts September 1.

It will end on midnight of October 31.

(note: this post contains 225 words)

reply to post by masqua

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Good to hear it's on the way and kudos to the judges for giving their time. To answer your questions:

1) A general Hallowe'en theme seems ok with me, gives more scope for ideas.

2) and 3) The entries I read for the previous contests were over the minimum limit so I don't think this matters too much. Having a maximum count should be left to the judges, seeing as they're the ones who have to read all the entries. I'd have a minimum of 1000, if we have to have a minimum, and no limit to the maximum.

Looking forward to reading your stories ATSers, always a pleasure, the Short Stories forum is a little gem on the web.

Sendran.

Originally posted by wigit
When's the next poetry contest? Haven't seen one of them for ages.

You're right... it's been ~5 months.

No reason we can't have another one at any time, especially if it's judged by starring like the last one was.

Can this be poems too?

Of course it can... but the poem would have to comply with the word count minimum, which is what we're trying to figure out in this thread. What do you think it should be?

reply to post by masqua

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Just out of curiousity, what is the prize?

reply to post by packinupngoin

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All contestants will get writer's status and probably some points.

But who cares what the prize is? It's all about the writing

reply to post by hotbakedtater

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Well... looks to me like that's going to be the theme. Look for the contest to appear on Wednesday, September 1.

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